Author:  Monica Murphy

Book: Stealing Rose (Fowler Sisters #2) – BUY NOW!!

Series: Fowler Sisters

Other Books in Series:
Owning Violet (Fowler Sisters #1)
Taming Lily (Fowler Sisters #3) – releasing on July 7, 2015

tl;dr recommendation: a strong woman combined with a sexy aloof man, secrets & high society? YES PLEASE.

Summary:

People say the youngest child has it easy, but nothing can be further from the truth. Unlike my two sisters, Violet and Lily, I’m never in the limelight. I just work my butt off for Fleur Cosmetics and get little to no thanks for it. I’ve been pushed too far one too many times, and I’m finally brave enough to do something about it.
 
Maybe my newfound courage has something to do with the amazing pink and white diamond necklace I wear to the party in Cannes. The instant those dazzling heirloom jewels touch my skin, they excite some deep, aching need inside. And when that guy—that totally gorgeous guy—locks eyes with me, I know this nice girl is going to be naughty.
 
For once it’s my turn. My turn to say no to my father, to outshine my sisters, to walk away from it all—straight into the arms of a mysterious stranger. But what if Caden is much more than I bargained for? Sure, he makes me feel sexy and free in a way I never have before, but there’s something else I can’t quite place—something dangerous. Maybe our “chance” meeting wasn’t so random. Maybe he was looking for me for a reason. Whatever his motive, there’s no going back now.
 
And maybe I don’t want to.

Longer Review:

While part of a series, this is a standalone novel.

Rose Fowler is at a crossroads in her life. She’s the baby of the family who no one takes seriously and she hates her father’s girlfriend, Pilar, who is slowly trying to take over the family make-up business, Fleur. While she desperately wants to quit her job, she doesn’t know what else she would possibly do – and she’s equally desperate to make a name all of her own, outside of her sisters’ shadows. While at an after party in Cannes, France she meets Caden and suddenly all of those thoughts fall away, and are replaced by ones featuring Caden’s mouth & hands. I don’t blame the girl, Caden sounds fucking hot.

Caden used to be a trust fund baby until his father ruined everything, leaving him and his mother with nothing. Now Caden steals from the rich to fund his lifestyle. Initially that piece of him totally turned me off. BUT THEN I STARTED TO GET TO KNOW HIM. Thief with a heart of gold? Yup. I begrudgingly began to love Caden & my inner cheerleader started rooting for him and Rose.

I don’t know if you’ll have this experience, but Stealing Rose started out a little slow for me. It’s probably because I wasn’t familiar with the characters (I have yet to read Owning Violet – THIS WILL BE REMEDIED). For whatever reason though, after a few chapters it picked up & I was hooked. I was glaring-at-my-husband-who-suggested-I-put-it-down-to-hang-out-with-people hooked.

Monica Murphy spins a fabulous tale filled with secrets, half-truths and lots of delicious sex. Caden & Rose can barely keep their hands to themselves, and I don’t want them too. However, even while the clothes peel off, their mental walls are a bit harder to come down & Caden’s heart stays safely tucked away behind lock and key. My initial wariness of Caden was quickly replaced with the desire to see him battle his demons and let Rose in. I loved Rose’s fiesty gives-no-fucks attitude and her willingness to just go with the flow. But mostly, I really enjoyed watching them slowly let down their guard and fall in love. ahhh, it’s a great read!

(I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)